Mississippi Brilla FC News Release -- www.brillasoccer.org
Friday, March 22, 2013
CLINTON, Miss. -- Ahead of their only open tryout this weekend, Mississippi Brilla FC announces the return of four veteran players, Felipe Silva, Phillip Buffington, Anteneh Lemma and Jakes Files. The players will be integral in providing some continuity between previous seasons and 2013, where Brilla has experienced many changes, including a new head coach and a roster that will be full of new players.
The Brilla returns their leading scorer from last season, Felipe Silva. A native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Silva returns to Brilla upon being named an NAIA All-American at Hannibal-LaGrange University after scoring 18 goals and adding 15 assists for the Trojans. These numbers earned him the single-season school record for assists and points. In addition to All-American honors, Silva was named the American Mid West Conference Player of the Year. These incredible numbers make his impressive 2012 Brilla contributions of nine goals and two assists look paltry. The Brilla coaching staff is optimistic that he will continue to perform at this level.
"We are happy that Felipe will be joining us again this summer," Brilla Head Coach Drew Courtney said. "He has had a great collegiate season and we look forward to his experience on the field for us."
Another threat to put goals into the net is Buffington, who has scored 20 goals and added 11 assists in his five previous seasons with Brilla. Buffington was hobbled with injuries last year that limited his goal-scoring, but he was able to contribute six assists in limited playing time.
"We are pleased that Buff will be joining us again for another season," said Courtney. "His experience and ability to score are proven at many levels of the game. Finding the net is natural for him and we look forward to his presence this summer.”
Another long-time Brilla staple, midfielder Anteneh Lemma, returns to Brilla for a 5th season. Lemma, from Sweden, has contributed six goals and six assists in his previous four seasons. Lemma will hope to pull the strings from midfield, where he covers a lot of ground and seeks to get the ball to Brilla’s dangerous attacking players.
"Because we always have so many young players, the experience of Lemma will again be invaluable to our team," Brilla Executive Director Rusty Bryant said. "He has been a part of Brilla for a number of years, and I know that the fans will be glad to see him back on the field."
Goalkeeper Jake Files, a Clinton, Miss. native, returns home after a stellar freshman season at Spring Hill College where he earned the starting ’keeper job and played in all 19 games for the Badgers. While he did not crack the lineup last season for Brilla, Files will count on the valuable experience of training with the club last year and his strong showing for his college squad to propel him to contribute minutes in the goal for Brilla this season.
"We are so pleased with Jake’s progress during his first year at Spring Hill," Bryant said. "His experience in the PDL last year will make him someone to keep an eye on this year."
All four players hope to be in the starting lineup when Brilla kicks off on May 23 in Fort Lauderdale against Schulz Academy. Brilla’s first home match will be on May 31 when they host the Ocala Stampede at Clinton High School.
For more information, visit www.brillasoccer.org.